Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-14
Gales aud Sketehes.
A GRANDFATHER FOB SALE.

It's all very we'll for you, Cabot, to
quote that trite remark about rank being
only the guinca's stamp. You know as
well as do that the social guinea-here
in Boston, OF all places-must be stamped
before it will 90 into circulation. Society
strongly resembles retail trade in this one
particular. Let me offer lump of the
purest gold to any small dealer as payment
for the goods have bought OF him, and
he would at once say he'd rather have the
dirtiest bank note in town than my un-
stamped metal; wouldn't he?"
"Well, | suppose he would. If we
were in a more primitive state of exis-
tence the yellow metal, as it came from
mother earth, would satisfy our greed.
Now it has to be vouched for as gold be-
fore it can take its proper position among
the other circulating mediums.
Exactly so! And as we are not in a
primitive state. but very highly cul-
tured' one, |, for example. need to have
a stamp before / can pass muster. All
the wealth my Midas OF father lett to
me will not take me more than Just so
far; Yet dress according to the laws of
to. day, don't eat with my knife, know
how to raise my hat to lady; in short,
flatter myself that make fairly good
appearance. But / have no grandfather
worth speaking off, And though there
was mock pathos in his tone, Maxwell
Jennings meaut more of what he said
than he would have been willing his com.
panion should suspect.
Edgar Cabot glanced at him a little
contemptuously; then he allowed his
eyes to wander obviously around the lux
urious appointments of MaxwelPs rooms.
Everything bespoke an abundance of both
money and taste on the part OF the one
would never have supposed that man
who could appreciate the engravings and
books which crowded the walls and tables
was mushroom of an hour, the son
of a man who had amassed large
fortune by the manufacture of
rum and judicious speculatlons in
stocks and mines. The moment that Tom
Jennings's business and all other posses
sions tell into his sons hands, that young
man sold the obnoxious distilleries and
went abroad for three years to finish the
studies his father had sent him there to
begin. Old Tom Jennings had the sense
to know that he could never aspire to any
higher position in life than the one he was
born into, but he was determined to
"make Max gentleman. and 50 far as
cultivation and study could do it, he sue
ceeded.
by Jupiter, Jennings, if had Il 1.-THE
of your money wouldn't care picayure
if | hadn't grandfather !" sighed Cabot
whose bank account was as short as his
pedigree was long.
"And |, Cabot, would give hundred
thou sand dollars this minute if | had one
of your digni6ed ancestors" Jennings
answered earnestly. Eyes, I'D give it
gladly if | in any way could claim great
uncle or grandfather of no1e!'
IA fellow has perfect right to sell
what is individually his own, hasn't he ?'
asked Cabot, thoughtfully.
"Of course he has
81, as everyone knows, am the last of
my line of the Cabots. am badly in
want of money; you think vourselt-or,
to be more exact, DR.. and Mrs. Randall
think you-badly in want of ancestors
What will you give me for, say cid
Colonel Cabot? The one, you know, who
was killed in King Phillips war;
What an absurd idea y exclaimed
Jennings, with laugh.
Not at all absurd. The old codger g
now my great uncle; if sell him to YOU,
why. of course, he'll be YOURS. Or, if
you don't like him. there's my grand
father. Judge Cabot-hOw will he fill
your bill? Now, Jennings, don't look o
amused assure you am in dead earn
est. am so hard up I'd sell my soul
81 bo
for a hundred thousand dollars"
Jennings knew that Cabot spoke the
truth about his financial condition, and j.,
being a good natured fellow, who was
grateful to Cabot for several introductons
which he valued very highly, especially
the one to the aforementioned Randalls,
determined to help Cabot out of his pecun-
larry quagmire by humoring him in his
ridiculous proposition.
IL declare, Cabot, if the thing were
feasible I'd accept your offer with mm ensc
gratitude. But suppose should tell any
one that Judge Cabot belonged to me,
who would believe me ?"
If you were to buy him of me you'd
give me a receipt for him. suppose
just as would give you receipt for the
money you paid me for him.
Certainly | should answered Jen-
nings, laughing at the idea of giving a
! receipt for an ancestor.
Then you could truthfully say that YOU
had documentary evidence that Judge
Cabot was an ancestor of your own, and
that would settle it. as | would be careful
to say so, too. for people rarely insist upon
ones proving that So-and so is his kin
and if anybody was still dubious you could
be justly indignant because your word was
doubted"
81 think if buy one of them would
like to have the other to keep him COM
pany; he might feel lonesome so entirely
out of his element What will you take
for the twoP" asked Jenning, seriously.
Cabot looked fixedly at him for an in
slant; then, seeing that he was in earnest,
answered:
"Oh, I'll not bargain with you in this
trade. I'll be grateful if you will give
me hundred thousand for the two of 'em
the old Colonel and the Judge"
"Are you sure that will satisfy you
Suppose say a hundred and twenty five
for the two?"
That will suit me still better, OF
course" said Cabot aloud. To himself he
added: The fellow is a bigger muff than
thought. However, he is good fellow
and will help him swear that they are
his kinsmen, just to see how many gull.
BILE fools there are in the world"
"How will you have the money? In
bonds or real estate ?" asked Jennings